Automatic winding device for cables and the like



Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,694

- W. H. STU RGE AUTOMATIC WINDING DEVICE FOR CABLES AND THE LIKE FiledJuly 24. 1926 Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILSON HENRY STURGE, F BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

Application filed July 24',

This invention relates to automatic winding and slack absorbing devicesfor electric and other cables, cords and the like, such devices beingor" that type comprising a springcontrolled drum or member around whichthe cable or cord is wound, the said drum being rotatably mounted upon arelatively lined part or spindle supported within a two-part shell orcasing which encloses W the drum, the arrangement being suchthat whenthe cable or cord is unwoundthe drum is rotated and the spring wound up,the said spring causing the drum or member to turn in the oppositedirection when the cable is M released, or the pull on the cable islessened, so that the latter is automatically wound up and the slack inthe cable absorbed. Such :Hflt0llli1tl0 winding or slack absorbing de\ices are usually employed -tor suspending electric lamps for thepurpose of admitting otthe height of the-lamp being adjusted asrequired, and it is to devices used for this purpose that the inventionparticularly relates, although it may obviously be applied to devices ofthe type in question when used for other purposes.

The object of the present invention is to provide improved andsimplified means for supporting and fixing the spindle within the outershell or casing.

According to the invention, the ends of the spindle are clamped orsecured between the two parts of the shell or casing, the ends of thespindle being flattened and clamped between flanges on the abuttingedges 01" the said two parts of the casing; and bolts, screws or thelike are passed through the two flanges and the flattened ends of thespindle.

* Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a vertical sectionthrough an automatic cable winding device constructed in accordance withthis invention.

Figure 2 is a section through one end of the spindle and through theadjacent part oi the casing, upon a larger scale.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the improved cable windingdevice, as described as used for suspending an electric lamp, comprisesa wooden orother drum 1 rotatably mounted upon a transverse horizontalspindle 2 the ends of which extend beyond the drum and are supported byan 1926. Serial No. 12%,694.

outer shell or drum made in two separable halves or parts 6, .7, whichserve to enclose the drum. The periphery of the drum 1 may be formedwith two circumferential grooves 8 and 9 which may be shaped as shown,the cable 10 by which the electric lamp is suspended being engagedaround the groove 8 and threaded through an oblique passage 11 throughthe drum by which the two grooves are connected, the cable being thenpassed around the groove 9 in the opposite direction. The arrangement issuch thatthe ends of the cable come upon opposite sides of the drum andextend in opposite directions, as illustrated, the drum being arrangedat a suitable distance between the lamp and the ceiling. The said endsof the cable are preferably passed through nipples 12 secured withincentral apertures in the upper andlower halves 6 and 7 of the shell orcasing. On rotating the drum 1 in the one direction the cable 10, aswill readily be seen, will be wound around the drum, thus shortening theeffective length of the cable and consequently varying the height of thelamp, whilst by turning the drum 1 in the opposite direction the cable10 will be more or less unwound and the lamp lowered. The drum isadapted to be rotated in a direction to wind up the cable by means of avolute spring 13, in the known manner, the spring being anchored atitsone end to the relatively fixed spindle 2 and connected at its oppositeend to the drum 1, the spring being housed with in a recess in the oneend of the drum, as shown. Thus by pulling the lower end of the cable 10downwards the said. cable will be unwound from the drum causing thelatter to rotate against the action of the spring 13 which isautomatically wound up, the said spring causing the drum to turn in theopposite direction to wind up the cable 10 when the latter is released.In order to preventthe drum from winding up the cable immediately it isreleased, unless it is so desired, a pair of pivoted gravity-catches 14:may be provided. These catches are mounted upon the one end of the drumand arranged to co-operate with recesses 16 formed in the periphery of aboss 17 rigidly on the fixed spindle 2 the said catches moving outwardsunder centrifugal action when the drum winds up the cable at a fast ratebut posite points to receive the bolts 18.

engaging with the recesses when the drum is revolved slowly, in theknown manner.

For the purpose of attaching the spindle 2 to casing, both ends of thespindle,which is of a tubular each flattened end & having a hole toreceive a screw or bolt 18 which serves toseeure the two halves 6 and 7of the outer shell or casing together. Each half of the latter is formedwith an annular flange 19 having aspindlebeing arranged to register withone another. The bolts or screws 18 are then passed through theholesthus securing the parts together.

Although the improved device is particularly adapted for use withelectric lamps, as described, for winding up the cable to raise or lowerthe lamp, it may, if'desired, be used for other purposes, such as forwinding or for absorbing the slack in cords or cables generally or forwinding flexible tubes.

construction, are flattened,

Having fully described my invention, whatI desire to claim and secure byLetters Patent is 1. An automatic winding device for cables and the likecomprising a stationary spindle, a cable-carrying drum rotatably mountedon the spindle, a casing for housing the drum formed of two parts, saidparts having opposed peripheral flanges between which the ends of thespindle are engaged, and securing devices extending through the saidflanges and ends of the spindle for clamping the said ends between theflanges.

2. An automatic winding device for cables and the like comprising astationary spindle, a cable-carrying drum rotatably mounted on thespindle, a casing for housing the drum formed in two hemispherical partseach having an outwardly-extending pe ripheral flange, said parts havingtheir peripheral flanges in opposed relation with the ends of thespindle therebetween and said flanges having their edges turned towardand meeting one another, and fastening means engaging said flanges andends of the spindle forv securing the parts ofsaid casing together andsaid spindle against rotation.

Signed at Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, England, this 12th dayof July, A. D. 1926.

WILSON HENRY STURGE.

